Dwarf Fortress, a complex colony simulation that was free for nearly two decades before its Steam release, has now sold 1 million copies since launching on the platform. The developers, Bay 12 Games, announced the milestone via Bluesky, expressing gratitude: “We’ve reached an exciting milestone: Dwarf Fortress surpassed 1,000,000 sales on Steam. Each copy brings countless dwarves, fortresses, and unique worlds to life. Thank you to everyone who’s supported us!”

Considering Dwarf Fortress’s sales trajectory, this success isn’t unexpected. Just two months after its late 2022 Steam launch, it had already sold nearly half a million copies. The revamped user interface and the switch from ASCII art to hand-drawn graphics were well-received, leading to significant financial success for its creators, Tarn and Zach Adams, who celebrated by purchasing a Honda Civic.

Reflecting on the game’s dramatic rise, Tarn remarked, “I mean, I didn’t actually think of [hitting a million sales]. Because you’re like, when is that going to happen?” Well, Tarn, it has officially happened.

The Adams brothers hinted at a potential way to celebrate this milestone, discussing plans for a small party and perhaps a trip to an exotic destination. However, despite the excitement, the game’s development direction appears unchanged as Bay 12 Games focuses on expanding its intricate systems and features for future updates.